Feast Or Famine

Chuck Ragan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 7, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Usa Side 1 Dummy
• ASIN: B000R4S6IC
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #93,506 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. The Boat

2. For Broken Ears

3. California Burritos

4. Geraldine

5. It's What You Will

6. Do You Pray

7. Don't Cry

8. Symmetry

9. Between The LInes

10. Hearts Of Stone

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. [DVD]

Editorial Reviews

"Feast Or Famine" is undeniably a folk record in the most traditional sense. The violin-driven "Do You Pray" is reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen's Seeger sessions; "Don't Cry" recalls Uncle Tupelo, and the austere "Symmetry" is dripping with so much raw emotion that you can almost feel Ragan's presence next to you as he delivers his lyrics with his trademark urgency and passion. Contributors include Matt Skiba (The Alkaline Trio), Jolie Holland, Tim Barry (Avail), Nathan Maxwell (Flogging Molly), James Fearnley (The Pogues), and the album's producer Ted Hutt, who has worked with The Bouncing Souls and Flogging Molly.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another great piece of work!, November 2, 2007

By 

R. Garver (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Feast Or Famine (Audio CD)

I have always been a huge Hot Water Music fan. Devastating as it was to hear that they were to break up, I was absolutely ecstatic to know that, in some form or another, they would still be making music. Whether it was the majority of the band continuing forth as The Draft or Chuck continuing solo...it was good to know that truly great musicians would continue on. I loved Rumbleseat, which influences me on why I like Chuck Ragan's solo effort so. His vocals pierce an emotional chord in me...and should in all of us. The lyrics to "California Burritos" should be enough alone to love this man's music. I hope to one day see HWM play again together as a whole. But until that time, I will find myself enveloped in the goodness that Chuck and The Draft bring me separately. It may be a stretch, but Feast Or Famine is the new Bob Dylan in many ways.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, October 10, 2008

By 

Jason W. Allison "chuck4life" (Bay Area, Ca) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Feast Or Famine (Audio CD)

Chuck Ragan is the music of this generation. Amazing vocals and amazing lyrics. This album is for anyone and everyone. I am a huge HWM fan and this does not dissapoint. From the openning track to the last song, Chuck is on key. Everyone song hits home. This album will make you cry, dance, and angry, all at the same time. This is honeslty the best album of the year, bar none. Chuck's lives shows are inspirational and awe inspiring. This album goes into the current political, social, and economic problems of today. Chuck is the Springstein of our generation. The vocals are raw, real, and heart felt. This is a must buy!!!

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Stand We Own, September 4, 2007

By 

Lutfi Melih Kutluoba - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Feast Or Famine (Audio CD)

Chuck Ragan of Hot water music simply light the curtains of past and show his talent without hesitation in Feast or Famine. It is an acoustic challenge which crash the ears like bulletproof bullet (silence within the thunderous lyrics, passion within the black circle) not so many man in punk scene can manage it without conventional flaws. When i write down the word conventional, i mean the general feeling that catch the all post-milenium records. Chuck's music is out of form. Dated but not dated at all. FOF started with The Boat which dedicated the HWM. Then For Broken Ears hit and you think you get the idea of the sound. But you don't. Gereldine and it' what You Will shining like old Pogues on the new rainy road and when Do You Pray hits you fill with the folk sun with great lyrics. But challenge starts here. Not with the great homage of Murder Ballad era of Nick Cave on Between The Lines but here; where the whole record link together with the audiences feedback, their experimentation. Symmetry and sublime The Grove formed quick cool. Flow the heights on the low sections of the tracks-Mediocrity is an empty word here. Also there's nothing in this album made self-consciously. Honest and passion rock the positions. it's a dream like wawe that comes deep insside the journey of an artist, built itself with an un-conscious staggers. I live in a different side of the world but i feel it in my bones/shaking with every trusty chord. As dark Ragan fill the sky, i'm dranched and feeling so alive, eyes closed tight and my ear open for this beautiful music.